What a week!
You may be still waiting for electricity or water; I hope both are restored soon and you can begin to get things back to normal.
We had water the entire time of the ice storm, but lost electricity. Thank goodness for our fireplace and the wood that Gary and Andrew had piled up. Thank goodness for help getting it split.
Gary had a gas ring and big pot he used for boiling hot water in his chicken processing. The propane ring turned into a cooker for us. Drew came up with some good meals on it although it was hard to regulate on a low temperature.
I found out our home has many drafty spaces and lots of air leaks! Weatherproofing doors and windows is going to be one of my first improvements made around here!
I found out it takes a lot of wood to keep a fireplace going 24 hours. It takes a lot of attention and adding wood, shifting the wood to let air flow better for a better burn, and taking out ashes. You can’t ignore a fire and can’t stop tending it, or it will go out!
I’m glad Gary and I had camping experience! He is very good at building and maintaining fires. We had cooked some on an open fire and that skill came in handy, although I burned a hamburger patty.
I’m glad I grew up visiting my grandfather in West, Mississippi, where a fireplace in the “front room” was the only heat. I loved watching his fires with the red, hot glimmerings going up the chimney. We toasted on our fronts and froze on our backs! I loved hearing his rocking chair bump back and forth on the uneven wood floor as we sat side by side being quiet and watching the flames.
I’m glad my grandmother cooked on a wood stove and showed me how it worked. Her big, fluffy biscuits were beautiful and delicious. Grand-daddy showed me how to take my finger and make a hole in the biscuit and stuff some butter in, then pour Golden Eagle Syrup in it to make a delicious breakfast treat.
I’m glad my grandparents had a well and it was normal to have to go to it and draw up water for washing and cooking. On a hot day, the chilled tin dipper I drank from seemed to hold heavenly water that thoroughly quenched my thirst.
I’m glad I’m from Mississippi, where people help people in times of need. Where we know how to do with and do without. Where we work hard and fix what’s broken. Where when others come to lend a hand, we welcome them like family.
I’m glad to see God working in our Fern disaster. I’m happy to see testimonies of God and bravery and heroic acts take the front in news. I’m glad to see faith and hope empower people who face hardship and danger.
Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Deepest thanks to all who helped in the disaster and came along beside us in our need. May God bless you and keep you safe.
